DALLAS -- Beach Boys leader Brian Wilson was arrested at the Republican National Convention hall Sunday on criminal trespass charges along with two other men who police said were carrying illegal drugs.
Wilson, 42, who founded the popular California surf music band with his brothers in the 1960s, was picked up inside the Dallas Convention Center on the eve of the GOP meeting, police said.
Sgt. Jody Thomas, spokeswoman for the Dallas police, said two men who were with the musician were found to possess 'large quantities of pills.' She said Wilson did not have any illegal drugs and was charged only with criminal trespass for being in the convention hall without proper credentials.
The three were taken to the Dallas County Jail, where they were arraigned. Wilson posted bond of $200. The others, charged both with drug violations and trespass, each posted bond of $400.
Wilson, clad in white jeans and a striped T-shirt and sneakers, was at the jail for 1 hour and 40 minutes. He looked thin and haggard.
Wilson shouted 'no comment' as reporters trailed him asking questions in 106-degree heat. He was then whisked away in a silver Mercedes.
One of the battery of attorneys surrounding Wilson said a statement would be issued later by Wilson's manager.
The police spokeswoman said the three apparently entered the convention center through a delivery entrance that does not require credentials for admission. They were arrested on the third level of the hall.
'Officers observed them in a restricted area and they did not have proper credentials, which is a Class B misdemeanor, criminal trespass,' she said. 'There was no resistance or anything.'
Dallas attorney Henry Ackles, called in on the case, said the three were taken into custody while touring the convention center. 'Apparently they stepped over a line or something and got arrested,' he said.
But Ms. Thomas said the three men would have been in violation of the trespass law anywhere on the convention premises, for lack of the proper credentials. Everyone in the convention center, where security is intense before the GOP meeting, is required to have credentials and to pass through metal detectors on entry.
The two men with Wilson were identified as Carlos Edward Booker, 26, and Marcus Gregory Dahlke, 23, who both listed Malibu, Calif., addresses. Ms. Thomas did not know anything about their association. Wilson lives in Los Angeles.
The Beach Boys performed Saturday night at a $100-a-head fashion show and reception at the Dallas Apparel Mart.
Wilson and his brothers Dennis and Carl started the Beach Boys as a sun-and-fun music group in the early 1960s. Dennis drowned accidentally in December 1983. Mike Love, the Wilson's cousin, is the lead singer and Carl Wilson is the lead guitarist.
In 1983, Interior Secretary James Watt ruled out a Beach Boys appearance at Washington's July Fourth festivities on the grounds that rock groups attracted 'the wrong element.' He later recanted -- first lady Nancy Reagan declared herself a Beach Boys' fan -- and although Watt left office, the group played for the Washington celebration this year.
Among the group's best known hits are 'Little Deuce Coup,' 'California Girls' and 'Good Vibrations.'
Wilson lives with his wife and two daughters in the posh Bel-Air section of Los Angeles.
